An upcoming challenge welcomes all hunters and those interested in removing invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades ecosystem.
Some $25,000 in prizes are available during the 2025 Florida Python Challenge set to begin Friday, July 11.
Hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the South Florida Water Management District, the challenge features a grand prize of $10,000 for the registered participant who removes the most pythons. Added to this year’s event is the inclusion of Everglades National Park as one of eight official Florida Python Challenge competition locations.
Registration opened in May for this year’s 10-day competition, which kicks off on Friday, July 11 at 12:01 a.m. and runs until Sunday, July 20 at 5 p.m. More information is at FLPythonChallenge.org, including required online training, information about Burmese pythons and the unique Everglades ecosystem, and registration for the competition.
Burmese pythons are not native to Florida and harm native wildlife. This invasive species is found mostly in and around the Everglades in south Florida, preying on birds, mammals and other reptiles. A female Burmese python can over 100 eggs at a time.
“The Python Challenge is a great way to get people directly involved in the protection and stewardship of the Everglades,” said South Florida Water Management District governing board member “Alligator Ron” Bergeron. “We continue to advance Everglades restoration efforts thanks to the support of Gov. Ron DeSantis, and we’ll keep doing everything we can to protect this important ecosystem.
“Pythons disrupt the natural food chain and prey on native wildlife,” Bergeron said. “Removing pythons from this ecosystem is critical to the survival of the species that call this area home.”
Prizes will also be awarded in the professional, novice and military categories, courtesy of sponsors and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida.
Last year, participants in the 2024 Florida Python Challenge removed 195 invasive Burmese pythons from the Everglades, resulting in a total of 1,112 of the nonnative constrictors being removed cumulatively during all Florida Python Challenge competitions so far. In 2024, 857 people from 33 states and Canada registered for the 10-day competition.
